As a Supervisor - Awards and Recognition, you lead a team responsible for developing, administering, and promoting awards and recognition programs across the Department of National Defence. You provide strategic direction and oversight of programs that acknowledge outstanding contributions and achievements of military members, defence civilians, and partner organizations. Your role ensures that recognition initiatives align with organizational values, support talent retention, and foster a positive workplace culture.
In this position, you manage day-to-day operations of the awards unit, including program administration, eligibility assessments, nomination processing, and ceremony coordination. You work collaboratively with senior leadership, human resources partners, and stakeholders across the department to identify recognition opportunities and implement new initiatives. You also supervise a team of professionals who execute the administrative and operational aspects of these programs, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development to your staff.
You work in a professional office environment within National Defence Headquarters or regional offices. This role involves regular interaction with diverse stakeholders, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously while maintaining high standards of accuracy and fairness.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily awards and recognition operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To enter this role, you typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent, with many successful candidates holding a post-secondary diploma or degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field. Experience in awards administration, human resources, or supervisory roles is essential.
Professional certifications can enhance your qualifications, such as the Canadian Human Resources Professionals (CHRP) designation or equivalents. The Public Service Commission and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat offer training in federal human resources practices, management essentials, and team leadership.
Once hired, you will participate in mandatory Government of Canada orientation, security clearance training, and departmental onboarding. Professional development opportunities include management and leadership training, advanced human resources certification programs, and courses in strategic planning and organizational change management. The department encourages continuous learning through internal workshops, webinars, and external professional development relevant to awards administration and human resources best practices.
Entry Plans
There are several pathways to become a Supervisor - Awards and Recognition in the federal Public Service. Most commonly, you would apply to a public competition posted on the Government of Canada Job Bank (jobs.gc.ca) or the DND Civilian Careers portal. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and typically require you to demonstrate relevant experience and competencies through an application and interview process.
Internal candidates already working for the Department of National Defence or other federal departments may have access to directed hiring or priority consideration through internal appointment processes. If you are currently working in a lower classification within the awards function or in human resources roles, you may be considered for promotion or lateral movement into this supervisory position.
Students may explore opportunities through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program (PSRP) to gain experience in human resources or awards administration within DND, which can lead to permanent appointments. Veterans and members of designated groups may also benefit from targeted recruitment initiatives and priority consideration under Government of Canada equity programs.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to monitor the DND Civilian Careers website, sign up for job alert notifications, and connect with local recruiting offices to learn about upcoming opportunities.
Part-Time Options
Part-time opportunities for the Supervisor - Awards and Recognition role are limited, as supervisory positions typically require full-time commitment to effectively manage team members and oversee program operations. However, the federal Public Service does support flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible.
Remote work options may be available depending on the specific office location and operational requirements. Many administrative and coordination tasks can be performed from a home office, though some in-person presence is usually necessary for team supervision, meetings with stakeholders, and ceremony participation. Telework arrangements are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with your manager and must align with departmental priorities and collective agreement provisions.
Flex-time arrangements, compressed work weeks, and job sharing are potentially available and should be discussed with your hiring manager during the recruitment process or after appointment. The Public Service is committed to work-life balance and supporting diverse work needs, subject to operational requirements and collective agreement terms.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
